Just days before James Jimenez's possible ouster as Rio Rancho's city manager, the mayor said voting him out would be the wrong move.

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"It's a sad day for me," said Mayor Thomas Swisstack. "It's a sad day for the city of Rio Rancho, in my opinion, to see Mr. Jimenez, who has done a good job in taking us through some difficult times, leave."

Three city council members called for a closed door evaluation of Jimenez. Council members mark Scott, Lonnie Clayton and Chuck Wilkens are all newly elected and supported by the Tea Party.

"They are new city council members, and I understand when you are new, you are trying to come in right away and try to make some significant changes, so you can demonstrate that government is going to changes," Swisstack said.

Swisstack said three months isn't a fair amount of time to expect change, adding that things don't move that fast, especially when priorities are not set.

When asked if this is the right decision, Swisstack said, "The short answer is no. I don't want James to leave. I understand there may be a new direction the governing body wants to take, and I think James could have taken us in that new direction if we gave him the opportunity and set the priorities."

The city attorney has talked to Jimenez about retiring 20 months early and the city buying out his contract for $145,000.

Jimenez said he was blindsided and has been given no clear reason why he might lose his job.

The City Council will vote on the issue Wednesday. The public can comment on the issue during the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.